English luxury brand Burberry has gone to court in China to try to hold on to the trademark for its distinctive 'house check' pattern.

Burberry has been locked in a lengthy legal drama with Polo Santa Roberta, based in China's Guandong province, over a range of products that bear the red, camel, black and white pattern.

Burberry is appealing against a decision by China's national trademark office to cancel its trademark over the pattern.

Burberry had filed for this trademark to be protected in China in three classifications in 2000.

The one in question is under 'Class 18' which includes luggage, suitcases, bags and even dog coats.

Last month Chinese national trademark authorities agreed with Polo Santa Roberta that Burberry had lost the right to that trademark, because the London-based luxury fashion label had not used it for three consecutive years.

Burberry is appealing the decision by the trademark office at China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce and says it will continue to enforce its trademark across leather or any other products.

Burberry and Polo Santa Roberta have crossed swords in the courtrooms of Hong Kong and Taiwan over the past nine years over the use of lookalike bags.

Friction over trademark infringements is common in mainland China which is an invaluable market and a key battleground for the world's biggest brands.

Fashion industry insiders like the editor of Vogue China Angelica Cheung also point out the digital age has made it increasingly difficult for companies to shield their trademark, which is essentially their ID.

"Today even on the catwalk or in the catalogues you see around the world established brands put out products that have really clear influence from previous products of other brands," she said.

"Is it influence, or is it coincidence - that they thought similarly?"

Mr Lehman says the high profile legal dispute shows companies have to be vigilant over their trademarks.

"It's kind of like throwing the baby out with the bath water, where if they are not spending a small amount of money, they will end up spending a great deal of money battling these people in other places."